Corregidor, strategically positioned at the entrance of Manila Bay, was the last stronghold of American and Filipino forces resisting Japanese invasion during World War II. After an intense bombardment and a siege that began in April, the defenders faced critical shortages of ammunition, food, and medical supplies. By early May, it became apparent that holding out was no longer an option. General Jonathan Wainwright, having taken over command after the capture of General Douglas MacArthur, had to grapple with the unfolding disaster as Japanese forces bombarded the island into submission. On May 6, 1942, Wainwright surrendered the remaining troops, totaling approximately 12,000 soldiers, effectively conceding control of the Philippines to Japan.

The surrender followed weeks of valiant but desperate fighting by combined American and Filipino forces. Efforts were made to fortify Corregidor, but the continuous aerial and artillery assaults by the Japanese proved ultimate. Upon their surrender, the American and Filipino troops faced the grim reality of the Bataan Death March that many would endure soon after. The fall of Corregidor was a devastating blow to American morale and represented a significant victory for Japanese forces in the early stages of the Pacific War. it illustrated the rapid success of Japan's military strategies and the vulnerability of American defenses in the Pacific.

In the aftermath of the surrender, Corregidor would remain under Japanese control until it was later recaptured by American and Filipino forces in 1945. The events leading up to May 6 highlighted the challenges posed by logistic difficulties and the need for dual-national forces to coordinate effectively in a less-than-ideal situation. The surrender illustrates the profound ramifications of warfare and the cost of occupation in a strategically vital region, impacting post-war U.S.-Philippine relations.